Sustainability has long evolved from being just a trend into an integral part of corporate strategy. This shift is clearly reflected in the latest survey results from our sustainability study with Swissrail, which provide valuable insights into the current state of sustainability transformation within the railway industry. It’s clear that its importance will only continue to grow.
Despite positive developments, sustainability in many companies remains largely driven by external factors, such as regulatory requirements and tender processes. While external pressure serves as an important driver, companies must cultivate stronger intrinsic motivation to achieve sustainable goals effectively and over the long term.
Core issues on the sustainability agenda include environmental concerns, reducing CO2 emissions, and resource management. However, the maturity of sustainability efforts in many companies still has room for improvement. A formal sustainability strategy, regular reporting, and measurable progress on defined goals are essential to gauge maturity, and there remains significant potential for development.
A quarter of companies have already set concrete targets for achieving net-zero emissions, with most aiming for 2050. Setting these targets is a significant step forward; however, businesses face challenges such as high costs, limited data availability, and complex regulatory requirements. Most companies recognise that the potential of digitalisation supports sustainability transformation, particularly in areas such as data management, monitoring, and transparency.
In addition to our survey, we’ve expanded our analysis through discussions with rail operators and an interview with SBB’s Head of Sustainability. This interview provides valuable insights into SBB’s approach to sustainability, its key focus areas, and the current challenges it is facing.
We hope you find the report enlightening and that it offers valuable takeaways!
